Genre Documentary Series Country of origin United Kingdom | Composer(s) Joseph Metcalfe Original language(s) English | |
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Directed by Claudia Riccio / Natalie Wilkinson Narrated by Ralf Little
Andy Serkis | ||
Monkey Life is a TV series documenting the work of Dr. Alison Cronin, Jeremy Keeling and their team at Monkey World. Monkey Life follows on from ITV Meridian's Monkey Business. It is based on the work of the largest monkey and ape rescue centre in the world.
Contents
The Monkey Life Series
Based in Dorset, United Kingdom, this 65 acres (26 ha) sanctuary grew from a humble derelict pig farm, and is now home to over 250 primates from 21 different species.
The TV series is now in its eighth year. Primate Planet Productions Ltd. is based on site, and accompanies Dr. Alison Cronin and her staff on all international and UK rescues documenting the team's work in their ongoing mission to stop the illegal smuggling of primates from the wild.
Monkey World has rescued primates from 18 countries, where they were being mistreated in laboratories, as exotic pets, as photographer's props, or as circus animals. The crew from Primate Planet Productions documents the rescue and re-homing of primates at Monkey World in the Monkey Life series, and then continues to follow their stories as the primates integrate into family groups and settle into their new home with other animals of their own kind.
Monkey Life – Series 1-9 (174 half-hour episodes) so far
In 2016, Series 9, Primate Planet Productions produced 20 half-hour episodes for Sky. Narrated by Ralf Little, this series is broadcast on Sky Pick.
In 2015, Series 8, Primate Planet Productions produced 20 half-hour episodes for Sky. Narrated by Ralf Little, this series is broadcast on Sky Pick.
In 2013, Series 7, Primate Planet Productions produced 20 half-hour episodes for Discovery Networks. Narrated by Ralf Little, this series is broadcast on Animal Planet and other channels worldwide.
In 2012, Series 6, Primate Planet Productions produced 20 half-hour episodes for Discovery Networks. Narrated by Ralf Little, this series is broadcast on Animal Planet and other channels worldwide.
In 2011, Series 5, Primate Planet Productions produced 20 half-hour episodes for Discovery Networks. Narrated by Ralf Little, this series is broadcast on Animal Planet and other channels worldwide, as well as Channel 5 in the UK & Ireland.
In 2010, Series 4, Primate Planet Productions produced 20 half-hour episodes. Narrated by Ralf Little, this series is broadcast on Nat Geo WILD worldwide, as well as on Channel 5 in the UK & Ireland.
In 2009, Series 3, Primate Planet Productions produced 20 half-hour episodes in Association with Athena Films. Narrated by Ralf Little, this series was shown on Channel 5 in the UK & Ireland and on Animal Planet worldwide.
In 2008, Series 2, Primate Planet Productions produced 20 half-hour episodes in Association with Athena Films. Narrated by Ralf Little, this series was shown on Channel 5 in the UK & Ireland and on Animal Planet worldwide. This series was also made available on HULU in the USA.
In 2007, Series 1 was the last series in which Jim featured, as he died on 17 March 2007 from cancer. Produced in association with Athena Films, it’s narrated by Andy Serkis, (the voice of Gollum in Lord of the Rings) this series is 14 half-hour episodes and was shown on Channel Five (UK) and on Animal Planet (worldwide).
DVDs
Monkey Life Series 1-8 were released on DVD and are available worldwide. Series 1 was released in 2007 as a 2 disc box set whilst Series 2-5 were released in subsequent years as 4 disc box sets. They are all presented in stereo sound, widescreen video and are region-free.
Monkey Life On Demand
In 2014 Primate Planet Productions launched the series on Vimeo VOD.Monkey Life Series 1-7 are available on VIMEO VOD in many countries around the world.
Social Media
The Official Monkey Life Facebook page and Twitter feed keeps fans up to date with information on the series. Primate Planet's YouTube Channel showcases clips from Monkey Life.
Monkey Business
The series that preceded Monkey Life, was produced by Tigress and then Meridian Broadcasting. Nine series of Monkey Business were produced and broadcast on the local ITV Meridian TV channel, and Animal Planet worldwide. A final 3-part TV series, 10 Years of Monkey Business, summarised the work of Monkey World over the previous 10 years. Monkey Business was narrated by Chris Serle.
Jim Cronin
The late Jim Cronin and Animal Director, Jeremy Keeling founded Monkey World – Ape Rescue Centre in 1987. He established himself as an international expert in the rescue and rehabilitation of abused primates and the enforcement of international treaties aimed at protecting primates from illegal trade, exploitation, and abuse.
Cronin died on 17 March 2007. In his memory, the Jim Cronin Memorial Fund has been established to continue Cronin’s legacy and support primate conservation and welfare around the world. Alison Cronin, Jeremy Keeling and the dedicated team at Monkey World continue Jim’s legacy both at Monkey World set up the Jim Cronin Memorial fund - a charity dedicated to Primate Conservation and Welfare, in his memory.
Monkey World set up sister sanctuary in Vietnam. Dao Tien is run by the charity Endangered Asian Species Trust (E.A.S.T) who rescue and rehabilitate endangered Vietnamese primates. The work of Dr. Marina Kenyon and her team has also been documented within the Monkey Life TV series since Series 2.